The 30 clubs showed their eagerness to do it right in 2025 and the first Matchday brought more goals than any previous opening in MLS history. Yes, MLS is running its 30 th season and it is for brags and it’ s bringing bangs.
NYCFC have lost five season openers in a row but the 30th season tied 2x2 with nothing less than inter Miami.
The second Miami goal, a dramatic equalizer nearly 10 minutes into second-half stoppage time, was the kind of play few can make and Messi does it better than anybody in the history of the game. The first goal was the kind that anyone dream to make … and Messi still does it so easy and beautiful.
To help them sort out those defensive issues, Miami added midfielder Telasco Segovia and defenders Gonzalo Luján and Maxi Falcón plus a full season of center back David Martínez.
Miami had to play a man down for more than an hour after Avilés got himself sent off in what became a 2x2 draw with New York City FC.
NYCFC played with no DPs on the road against the Shield favorites and came away with a point. But it feels like two points dropped.
After capitalizing on an Inter Miami red card, NYCFC were a clearance away from sealing a 2x1 road win. A 90 + 10’ equalizer kept them from a season’ s dream start.
The consolation prize is Alonso Martínez picked up
right where he left off from his 16-goal 2024. He added a goal
and earned the foul that sent Miami down to 10 men.
Against NYCFC, the backline didn’ t hold. Avilés earned himself a red card less than 25 minutes into the match at Chase Stadium, forcing his teammates to play with 10 men. Allen, for all of the value added via his positional versatility, isn’ t exactly a towering presence
Lionel Messi through the middle. With David Martínez recovering from an ankle injury and Luján on short rest, Miami’ s pool of quality available center backs quickly dried up in the 2x2 draw.
We’ ve seen how defense remains Miami’ s weakness and we’ re already into the 2025 season. Can they fix their defense to make good on MLS regular season, CCC, 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in June, and The Leagues Cup in July?
But New York City FC have more question marks than normal. Central midfielder James Sands is injured long-term( after being loaned to FC St. Pauli), Attacking midfielder Santiago Rodríguez is reportedly set to join Botafogo, and their new head coach Pascal Jansen is an unknown in MLS. If he leaves, they’ ll have DP flexibility.
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